Always use different cutting boards and utensils to avoid bacterial cross-contamination

Use food safety tips for grilling and smoking foods for the Fourth of July holiday. (Pixabay, Pixabay 2023)

SAN ANTONIO – As Fourth of July celebrations begin next week, the United States Department of Agriculture has several food safety tips for a tasty holiday.

“Fourth of July is a great time to use the grill and smoker to cook delicious meats and poultry,” said Dr. Emilio Esteban, Under Secretary for Food Safety, in a press release. “Whichever method you use, reduce your risk of foodborne illness by using a food thermometer to measure the safe minimum internal temperature, and reduce cross-contamination by using separate utensils for raw and cooked meat and poultry.”

  • Thaw meat or poultry first. When using a smoker, food cooks at a low temperature, so if you use frozen foods, it takes too long to reach a safe internal …